The International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) and United States Maritime Alliance (USMX), two sides of a labor disagreement that briefly shut down East and Gulf Coast ports in October, are at odds again, this time over automation.
In October, both sides agreed to extend a labor agreement until Jan. 15 and get ports up and running again. Recently, both parties returned to the table but talks have broken down once more.
"While we had positive progress on a number of issues, we were unable to make significant progress on our discussions that focused on a range of technology issues," says USMX, the alliance that represents port owners. "Unfortunately, the ILA is insisting on an agreement that would move our industry backward by restricting future use of technology that has existed in some of our ports for nearly two decades — making it impossible to evolve to meet the nation's future supply chain demands."
Both parties must come to an agreement before Jan. 15 or face the prospect of another work stoppage.
"We believe firmly that machines should not replace hard-working men and women who have dedicated their lives to this industry," ILA President Harold J. Daggett says. "Our union is built on the strength of its members, and I am proud to stand with each of you in this fight."
At issue is the use of cranes with semi-automated capabilities, sources told CNBC. These cranes use real-time data and positioning systems to move and identify priority containers for pickup. The cranes are operated by union workers using a remote control in an indoor operator's station, not physically on the crane.
